Rick OrnelasExecutive Director
[email protected] I was born and raised in Southern California and moved up to Auburn after my oldest daughter was born. My wife and I keep busy with our two daughters and our dog. My hobbies include baseball, running, reading, and being a dad.
I played baseball at College of the Desert, and once I was done playing I transferred to San Diego State. My Bachelor's Degree is in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Education. I went to National University for my Master’s Degree in Education, as well as my teaching credential. I have taught many subjects at the middle school level in Auburn and in San Diego and I truly love working with students and families. I am so fortunate to have landed in such a welcoming community at Harvest Ridge. The staff, families, and especially the students, make this a truly special place. |
Janet SuttonHome Study Director
[email protected] Born and raised in Southern California, I moved to beautiful Auburn after college. where my husband and I raised our two boys . Our family enjoys camping, boating, fishing, baseball., and travel.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts from CSU Chico, my teaching credential from CSU Northridge, a Masters in Education from CSU Sacramento, and my Administrative Credential from Brandman University. My classroom experience has included teaching grades Kindergarten through fourth grade, as well as many years as an Education Specialist with Home Study students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth grade. I feel so fortunate to have been part of Harvest Ridge from the beginning, and look forward to many years of service to our families. |
Annette KornAdministrative Assistant
[email protected] Annette brings many years of experience working in schools from elementary all through high school.
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Christina CowanTeacher
[email protected] Originally from the Bay Area, I moved to the Sacramento area in high school and continued my higher education at CSU Sacramento. After college, I traveled and lived in England and Los Angeles for some time before moving back to Auburn to settle and start my family. I have one beautiful daughter, a very active dog, and several chickens. Also, I enjoy reading, hiking, anything in the mountains, and traveling.
My love of teaching comes from a long line of educators in my family. They have been my inspiration for teaching these past nine years. Within that time, I have grown so much as an educator and achieved a Master's Degree in Education Technology at CSU Sacramento. My credential program also focused on positive classroom culture and targeted literacy strategies. With this background, I am excited to join the Harvest Ridge community to grow and learn with my students and families. |
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Kathleen LubiensTeacher
Having lived in the area for the past 25 years, I am so excited to be a part of Harvest Ridge! Istarted my education at CSU Chico where I earned a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a supplementary English authorization. I started teaching at Glendale High School in southern California and then moved to the Bay Area to be a full time high school youth director at a church in Saratoga. I met my husband there and we moved to the Auburn area when we started our family.
All four of my children attended Harvest Ridge Charter School and I spent a number of years substitute teaching for Harvest Ridge for all grades. During my time subbing, I learned what a unique and special place Harvest Ridge is and I am happy to now be part of the full time staff. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy being outdoors hiking, playing tennis, or snow and waterskiing. I love taking long walks with friends, having good conversations, laughing loud and often, and spending time with my family. |
Patricia MilamiTeacher
[email protected] I love the Harvest Ridge community of families! It is such a privilege to come alongside parents who choose to homeschool their children and to be a part of their journey. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t know that I was supposed to be a teacher. Although I am not in a classroom, I find that encouraging and assisting parents in meeting their child’s educational needs through home education is as fulfilling.
I grew up in the Sacramento area and attended CSUS where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and then continued on to obtain my Teaching Credential. I have worked with children from TK through middle school and find the joy in each age and stage. I have been with my husband longer than I have been without him at this point since we began dating in high school, and we have four children. They are my favorite people to be with even though they complain on hikes. I enjoy hiking, the kids not so much, but we all love camping as we explore National Parks. I also enjoy getting lost in a good book. |
Jen RickardsTeacher
[email protected] My love for teaching began on my first day of kindergarten. The sight of a freshly decorated classroom, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and the sound of all my favorite children's songs being played on the record player, were some of the first memories I have of falling in love with education. I knew instantly that the classroom was where I would want to spend my time every day, for as long as I could. I grew up in Sacramento then attended CSUS for my Bachelors in Liberal Studies and my teaching credential. For 18 years, I've taught nearly every grade Kindergarten through 8th grade in the Sacramento area. Truly, I am fascinated by how kids learn and have discovered that there isn't a grade or subject that I don't fall in love with year after year.
My passion for being a mom and teaching led me to Harvest Ridge, where I get to build relationships with other families within our community. My husband and I are honored to get to raise our boys in Loomis. Often it feels like we are living our dreams! When I'm not wiping the hands and faces of my handsome dirt covered boys, I enjoy doing pilates, working in our garden, cooking healthy meals, home design and most of all hosting friends and family at our home. My husband and I also enjoy volunteering with our boys soccer teams, helping at our kids' school, and serving in our church. Harvest Ridge is such a special place to learn and grow. My heart is full of pride to get to be a part of what makes this school so unique! |
Jennifer RussellTeacher
[email protected] I moved to Auburn in the 8th grade, as I got older I knew this is where I wanted to raise my family. My husband and I have two sons. My family enjoys hiking and being on the water, preferably on stand up paddle boards and kayaks. When I am home, I love to garden. I am active in the Auburn community, participating in many volunteer organizations.
I earned my BA from UC Santa Barbara, my teaching credential from Chapman University and my Masters in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University, Kansas. My first job was teaching 8th grade math, science and PE at Franklin Elementary School in Loomis. After staying home with my boys for about 10 years, I started substitute teaching at Auburn Elementary which led to teaching 3rd grade for five years. For the last three years, I have taught technology electives and English Language Development to 6th, 7th and 8th graders at E.V. Cain Middle School. I am so excited and honored to be a part of Harvest Ridge. |
Jenica SeawellTeacher
[email protected] I was born and raised in Rocklin and still live here today. After graduating from Whitney High School, I attended American River College then transferred to Idaho State University in Pocatello where I earned my Bachelor's degree and teaching credential in Physical Education. My family is full of educators, so becoming a teacher was always the path I wanted to follow. I taught PE & Art at H. Clarke Powers Elementary in Loomis for three years. I enjoy my role as a home study teacher at Harvest Ridge because I love making meaningful connections with students and families.
Outside of teaching, I spend most of my time (and weekends) coaching cross country and track at Whitney High School. I am a distance runner myself and had the privilege of competing in high school and college. I've run one marathon so far and plan to do more in the future. I also enjoy walking my dogs, cooking, and spending time with my husband. |
Lindsey SmeadTeacher
[email protected] I was born and raised in Auburn, California and have deep ties to the Foothill community. I keep busy with my daughter who attends Forest Lake Christian School. My hobbies are hiking, camping, boating, traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
I attended CUS Sacramento where I majored in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations. After becoming a mother, I realized I wanted to follow the tradition of the women in my family, and pursue my passion for teaching. I completed my multiple subject teaching credential and a Master's Degree in Cross-Cultural Education with National University and began my career as a teacher in 2009. I have taught Middle School grades 5-8 and most recently I taught 2nd grade for 5 years. My passion is connecting with students and families and providing encouragement, support, and helping children discover all their passions and talents. It is an honor to join the Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School community and I feel so fortunate to have joined this team. The staff, families, and students make this a welcoming environment that I look forward to serving each day. |
Rebecca StanphillTeacher
[email protected] I grew up going to local schools right here in our community, attending Newcastle Elementary and graduating from Del Oro High School. I went on to Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and majored in Exercise Science and Athletic Training and took many classes in teaching techniques for my degree., and completed my teaching credential through Brandman University. I participated as a member of the charter development committee to create and open HRCCS and feel very passionate about this school and its families. All three of my children have attended Harvest Ridge. I taught grades 3-6 on campus as well as PE for all grade levels, and now very much enjoy my role of Home Study teacher.
I desire to make Harvest Ridge a rich a varied experience for kids and provide opportunities for students to become who they were created to be through their time and experiences with the school. Having families work together to create and support the school environment is such a positive aspect of HRCCS and I believe it’s the best place to be! I have been married to my high school sweetheart since 1995, and together we love to work on our property and the never ending list of projects, watch our kids grow up in the country and enjoy raising all kinds of animals. I also love to cook and spend any free time I have perusing cookbooks and blogs about country living. |